The five-hour marathon is supposed to be followed up by a press availability from all concerned, but we're guessing that most members of the press will have long defected by then. All the better to cover something equally exciting ... like a meeting of the Milk Marketing Board or something like that,

Perhaps in concert with the new commission, perhaps not, the headlines are top-heavy this morning with natural gas drilling news. So we'll try not to frack it up too badly ... sorry, we've been waiting weeks to say that.

Industry officials made their pitch during an appearance before the Lancaster Rotary Club. Later in the day, opponents packed a hearing on the campus of Franklin & Marshall College, the Intelligencer-Journal reports.

The rest of today's news starts now.

You Don't Have To Go Home, But You Can't Stay Here. Residents in Franklin County are bracing themselves for the next round of work by the federal Base Closure & Realignment Commission, the Public Opinion of Chambersburg reports this morning. The county is home to the Letterkenny Army Depot. It's the region's largest employer and it's been slammed and bolstered in alternate rounds of the so-called "BRAC" work. "We are very sensitive to BRAC and have learned to be prepared and to keep our guard up," L. Michael Ross, chairman of a local group called Team Letterkenny and president of the Franklin County Area Development Corp, tells the newspaper. "I don't believe there's a clear consensus in Congress, or in the Department of Defense, that there will be another round of BRAC or that there's a need for it."

Our Rick Hits The Road. Pennsylvania's best-traveled, undeclared 2012 presidential candidates returns to the key states of Iowa and New Hampshire this weekend.Santorum addresses U.S. Rep. Steve King's "Conservative Principles Conference" (fighting jokes about it being a short event ...) at 11:45 a.m. CDT on Saturday in Des Moines. On Monday, Santorum returns to the Granite State (that's New Hampshire, kids) for an 8 p.m. headlining spot before the Grafton County Lincoln/Reagan Day celebrations.

Speaking Of Santorum ... ... the Post-Gazette says the former U.S. senator hopes to build on his foreign policy experience as he gears up for a White House bid. "I think it does highlight the difference in the level of experience and knowledge in dealing with these types of issues," Santorum said, referring to the likely field of GOP contenders which is top-heavy with former governors, some of whom have even served full, four-year terms.

The Serious Weirdness ... ... surrounding state Sen. Jane Orie's corruption (mis)trial continues, with the Allegheny County Republican's lawyer accusing the DA of deliberately setting up a mistrial, the Post-Gazette reports. In court filings, Orie's team claims that prosecutors knew they were about to lose their case and deliberately provoked the mistrial, the newspaper reported. The motions ask that the prosecution against Sen. Orie and her sister, Janine Orie, be dropped because a new trial would violate double-jeopardy rules.

TomWatch(TM). Pennsylvania's chief executive is off to Delaware County this morning, where he'll tour a company called Leefson Tool & Die. The fun starts at 11 a.m.

What Goes On (Nakedly Political Edition). If you're reading this, then you're missing a scheduled breakfast reception for Sen. Tim Solbay, D-Washington, at the Holiday Inn Meadowlands. Admission is a mere $300.

On The Capitol Ideas iPod This Morning. It's Friday ... so you know what that means.Vodka. Wait ... no. That's later. Right now, it's the Friday Playlist. Set your personal musical listening devices to shuffle and post the Top 10 results in the comments. As always, we'll go first.

Friday's Finally Gratuitous Soccer Link. Really, Nani? You're upset at Manchester United because you're not "allowed to express yourself." Get a hobby. Take up painting or macrame. Where else do you have a chance of winning the Treble this season? Diva ...

All right. That's it for now. Check back later for more news and updates, including the proceedings of the Shale Commission. See you back here in a bit.

Current Comments

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Another example of a lot of Republican Tea Baggers attempting to discredit a former staff member of the Mayor. The Republicans want Suttle out of office so bad, they will bring charges against anyone. It is time for the Democratic Party to take charge of this City and the sooner the better. Thank you.